Silly question time...

I've been riding more aggressive as my skills have progressed. I've decided to start carrying an extra tube and related tools just in case. One thing that crossed my mind is how in the heck do you torque the axle lugs in the field? Short of carrying your torque wrench, is everyone just guessing and then torquing when you get back home? Or does proper torque not really matter for the axle lugs?

What about drawing a line with permanent marker on the lug to whatever's next to it as a ballpark guide?

 

"Torquing in the field"?....who do you think you are?...Miley Cyrus?

But seriously, you often need some kind of "cheater" assisstance to even get the axle nut off due to the 80lb. torque of that nut. The exact torque of the axle nut out in the field while fixing a flat isn't that critical as long as you get it good and tight. I use a 10" crescent wrench which will work on both axles, deleting the cheap tools that comes with the bike. To assist that crescent wrench, I take a piece of steel tubing about 10" long that when mashed/ovalized a bit will fit snugly on to the crescent handle. If you can't get the axle off or tightened back up with this setup, you have other problems.

I travel out west in some very remote areas where it's common not to see another soul all day long. I have to carry enough crap to hopefully fix any foreseeable problems and perhaps even spend the night beside the trail in a worst case scenario. Another longer tool that is critical is a tire iron. I carry two. One is a short 8" spoon, and the other is a 14" spoon that bolts to the seat stay on the left hand side.

 

At home torque your wheel to 75, then use your "field" tool to feel how much you need to torque it a little more manually.

 

Or go Twerk with Miley...

 

Now Mark, that's the teacher coming out in you.

Yeah, I knew the correct spelling, but somehow it just didn't have the same effect when referring to dear Miley...LOL!

Plus, I'm not sure I'd dismiss the possibility of torque wrenches being involved with Miley's antics.

 

I'll see if I can get Miley to 2-up with me. No need to worry about anything then.

Thanks guys. Practice starts soon.